Staying healthy over Christmas can feel like you're constantly dodging indulgent food and tempting drink.
You may think there's a certain inevitability to that festive weight-gain, but there are things you can do to make Christmas a little easier on your body and survive festive food without overdoing it.
On average, people gain 4 lbs over the four-week Christmas period, but experts reveal some top tips for keeping trim and enjoying yourself!
Let moderation be your watchword this season, and you'll find you can still enjoy mince pies, turkey and the odd sherry without going too far.
Also, opt for healthier options where they are available. Try buying lower-fat snacks like pretzels, rice crackers, fruit platters and reduced-fat biscuits and cakes. To cut back on fat, remove the skin from the turkey and prepare large baked potatoes or chunky chips, as they absorb less fat than fried chips or roast potatoes.
Choose low-calorie drinks like such as diet soft drinks, chilled or sparkling water.
There are a few things you can do to avoid overeating at Christmas. Try planning your menus in advance and only buying the food you need for your plan. Tell family and friends not to bring food when they visit - because you have plenty. Stop halfway through your meal, have a rest and assess how full you are - if you're already full, it might be time to stop. Remember you can always freeze leftovers for another day, but do it straightaway to stop yourself picking when you're not hungry.
Dieticians say stay away from chocolate treats if you can. Although the chocolate temptation seems to be everywhere in December, you'll be doing your body a big favour by staying away. Chocolate is really high in sugar and most contain a cocktail of additives and chemicals, which can put a strain on your body, especially if it's already over-indulged.
Saying no to pastry products will also help cut Christmas calories. Although the sight and smell of warm sausage rolls and mince pies will follow you, if you can stay away, your waistline will thank you after Christmas.
We want to have a merry Christmas, but some of us take it too far, drinking more than our bodies can handle over the festive season.
Try breaking up your drinking by having a soft drink, especially water, in between your alcoholic drinks. You could try limiting alcohol to particular times, say after 6pm. Use small wine glasses and only fill your glass when it's empty, so you can keep track of how many you've had. If you're planning a big night out or drinking lots at a party, don't drink on an empty stomach. Have a small snack with protein or complex carbohydrates before you go out and drink lots of water before you go to bed to re-hydrate yourself.
Even if you let your healthy eating habits slip this Christmas, try and keep the balance by being as active as you can.
Take an after-meal walk (like a refreshing walk in Hastings Country Park, Alexandra Park or the beach) and play a game in the park or garden. Try planning a family day out over the holiday, such as a day at the park, zoo or indoor games centre. Buy your children 'active' gifts like bikes, skateboards or roller skates and ask for something similar for yourself, like a gym membership, a rock climbing course or a weekend at a health spa.
When it comes to it, Christmas is a celebration so savour the festive treats and enjoy a drink with your family and friends, but think moderation!
You'll feel better for not over-indulging and you certainly won't miss that bloated, lethargic feeling of having eaten too much. Try having alternate healthy days to give your body a rest. Eat things like salads and stir-fries one day and then treat yourself the next. You can plan this around your diary to fit in with Christmas parties.
If in doubt, keep in mind this piece of advice from kids' favourite Miss Piggy: "never eat more than you can lift!"
We all know the disappointed feeling you get when you break your New Year's resolution for the first time - it's normally just a few weeks into January.
Most of us feel a bit bloated and lazy after Christmas and with the best intentions we set out on an ambitious journey of fitness and weight-loss. Most of us give in to temptation before we reach our goals and it seems impossible to keep on track.
Here are some top tips for reaching your New Year fitness goals and a healthy, happy 2008.
Our Active Hastings experts tell us that sensible fitness goals should be realistic and achievable and if you get them right, nothing will stop you reaching them. Your goals should be as specific as possible, state the amount of weight you'd like to lose or the fitness goal you're aiming for.
Write your goals down and keep them near your calendar or on your memo board. Even if your goal is just to be healthier, it's good to be reminded of that when you're planning your week or making dinner.
Try exercising with friends or join one of many Active Hastings group sessions to make exercise more fun and flex your social side at the same time. By committing to a regular session, it's easier to set time aside for exercise every week. Active Hastings offers netball, football, dance and Pilates sessions among many others, so you'll find something that suits you.
Take a healthy approach to eating. Instead of cutting out certain foods altogether or depriving yourself, eat three balanced meals with lots of fruit and vegetables. Make sure you get your five-a-day of fresh fruit and vegetables and plenty of fibre. Drink two litres of water a day and avoid really sugary and fatty things. Try swapping refined carbohydrates like white bread, pasta and white rice for unrefined alternatives like whole-wheat pasta and rice, wholemeal bread and porridge oats. By eating healthier, you'll feel better, but you'll also help reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer and other conditions associated with being overweight.
If you find it hard to fit exercise into your busy life, try some simple activities that burn calories without you even knowing it! Try taking the stairs instead of the lift, walking or cycling to work instead of driving or getting off the bus a couple of stops early and walking. Washing your car and housework burns plenty of calories and you're getting things done at the same time.
The New Year is also a good time to give up smoking or cut down on your drinking. The NHS Stop Smoking Service can help you give up, contact them on 01424 457153.
Whatever you do, give it a go! Set sensible targets and plan weekly activities to help you reach them. And remember Active Hastings is on hand to help. Visit www.hastings.gov.uk/active_hastings or www.hastings.gov.uk/events to check for the latest sessions in your area.
Picture the scene: a crisp, cold sunny morning, stunning views and the prospect of a cosy pub lunch. Throw in a walk through some of the most fascinating and historic countryside in England and you've got the recipe for a perfect day.
Shake off the winter blues this Christmas with the 1066 Country Walk. You can follow in the footsteps of William the Conqueror from his landing site to the battle with the ill-fated Harold and his army of Saxons. This 31-mile sign posted walk starts off in Pevensey where you can explore the castle, home to Roman and later Norman nobility, before strolling on to Bexhill for a lesson in more recent history and a visit to the stunning Modernist De La Warr Pavilion.
Take in the breathtaking countryside views as you wander through some lovely scenic villages on the way to Battle and Hastings.
Herstmonceux with its amazing castle and beautiful grounds, not to mention the science centre is another great place to stop off before trekking on to Battle.
The Abbey stands in the heart of this small town, acting as a gateway to the battlefield where English history changed forever. With its array of shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs, Battle is worth an afternoon out alone.
Our very own Hastings is another stop off point on the way through 1066 Country, but you already know our town's many virtues, so let's press on via the Hastings Country Park Local Nature Reserve, home to rare species of flora and fauna and an impressive view spanning the fishing district and old part of the town.
Last stop on the walk is the ancient town of Rye, one of the Cinque Ports that historically provided men and boats to defend the Sussex coast from invasion. Nowadays visitors enjoy the pretty, cobbled streets, art galleries and old inns selling local beer.
Walking is great (free) exercise and the 1066 Country Walk is a good way to re-discover just how picturesque our part of the world is.
Of course you don't have to cover the whole 31 miles in one go, but take a section at a time and get out there!
To get your free 1066 Country Walk leaflet, call into Hastings Information Centre or telephone 0845 274 1001. Alternatively email: hic@hastings.gov.uk or check the website: www.1066country.com.
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This page last updated: 19/12/2007